Drug glycerol ketals

ABSTRACT

DRUG GLYCEROL KETALS REPRESENTED BY THE FORMULA   HO-CH2-HC&lt;(-O-D1-O-CH2-)   IN THE FORMULA, D1 IS THE REMAINDER OF A DRUG MOIETY. THESE COMPOUNDS EXHIBIT THE PHARMACEUTICAL UTILITIES OF THE PARENT DRUGS BUT HAVE ENHANCED AND PROLONGED ACTIVITY WHEN ORALLY ADMINISTERED.

United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Drug glycerol ketals represented by the in the formula, D is the "remainder of a drug moiety.

These compounds exhibitthe pharmaceutical utilities of the parent drugs but have enhanced and prolonged activity when orally administered.

This invention relates to drug glycerol ketals. In summary, the compound of this invention can be represented by the formula: HC-O D1 H2C'O In the above formula, ,3

D is a remainder of a drug moiety. j v

" 7"CIaimS The compounds of Formula I can be prepared by a procedure which can be represented as follows:

In the above formulas, D as previously defined.

In the above procedure, the ketones of Formula A are reacted with glycerol and dry methyl orthoformate in a suitable inert organic solvent in thepresence of perchloric acid to yield the glycerol ketals of Formula I.

Included within Formula I are conjugates of steroid ethers corresponding to Formula A. These steroid ethers which are ketones which have beendescribed together with methods for their preparation in United States patent applications Ser. No. 731,309 filed May 22,1968, Ser. No. 731,301 filed May 22, 1968 and Set; No. 731,267

filed May 22, 1968 and US. Pats. Nos. 3,365,446, 3,067,-

194 and 3,364,203.

Representative glycerol ketals of anabolic steroids within Formula I can be represented by the following formulas: Y

3,658,789 Patented Apr. 25, 1972 ru z-o n c-oi-r RIIRIIS R12 317E116 H n p-o 9' 19 5 a "z {120 8 0-03 in the above formulas,

R R R R R and R each is hydrogen or methyl (preferably one of R and R is methyl);

R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;

R is hydro-gen or chloro;

R is hydroxy, or a conventional hydrolyzable ester or ether thereof;

R is methyl or ethyl;

R R and R each is hydrogen, methyl, fiuoro, or chloro; and R is not present when Z is a double bond;

Z and Z each is a single bond or a double bond.

The glycerol ketals of Formulas II-VI are anabolic agents with a favorable anaboliczandrogenic ratio, also possess anti-estrogenic, anti-gonadotrophic, and antifibrillatory activities, and can be used in the same manner as testosterone. These compounds are preferably administered orally. However, they can also be administered by other usual routes such as parenterally. In either manner of administration they can be administered either alone or in conjunction with other medicinal agents, or in pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic compositions formed by the incorporation of any of the nor mally employed excipients.'

The terms (lower)alkyl and derivatives thereof appearing in the above and following definitions for steroids denote alkyl in the above and following definitions for steroids denote alkyl groups containing from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, amyl, hexyl and the like.

The term conventional hydrolyzable ester as used therein denotes those hydrolyzable ester groups conventionally employed in the steroid art, preferably those derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acid or phosphoric acid and their salts. The term hydrocarbon carboxylic acid defines both substituted and unsubstituted hydro carbon carboxylic acids. These acids can be completely saturated or possess varying degrees of unsaturation (including aromatic), can be of straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic structure, and preferably contain from one to 12 carbon atoms. In addition, they can be substituted by functional groups, for example, hydroxy, alkoxy containing up to six carbon atoms, acyloxy con taining up to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino, halogeno, and the like, attached to the hydrocarbon backbone chain. Typical conventional hydrolyzable esters thus included within the scope of the term and the instant invention are acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, caproate, enanthate, caprylate, pelargonate, acrylate, undecanoate, phenoxyacetate, benzoate, phenylacetate, diphenylacetate, diethylacetate, tri-methylacetate, t-butylacetate, trimethylhexanoate, methylneopentylacetate, cyclohexylaceate, I cyclopentylpropionate, adamantoate, glycolate, methoxyacetate, hemisuccinate, hemiadipate, hemi-;8,,8-dimethylglutarate, acetoxyacetate, 2 chloro 4'nitrobenzioate, aminoacetate, diethylaminoacetate, piperidinoacetate, flchloropropionate, trichloroacetate, B-chlorobutyrate, dihydrogen phosphate, dibenzyl phosphate, benzyl hydrogen phosphate, sodium benzyl phosphate, cyclohexylammonium benzyl phosphate, sodium phenyl phosphate, sodium ethyl phosphate, di-p-nitrobenzyl phosphate, sodium o-methoxyphenyl phosphate, cyclohexylammonium p-cyanobenzyl phosphate, sodium phenacyl phosphate, benzyl o-carbomethoxyphenyl phosphate, and the like. The term conventional hydrolyzable ethers in elude tetrahydropyran-l' yl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl, and 4'- (lower)alkoxy 4'-tetrahydrofuran-4'-yl ethers and the like.

By the term aryl are included aryl, arallcyl, and alkaryl groups, such as phenyl, p-chlorophenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, benzyl, phenthyl, tolyl, ethylphenyl, and the like. The wavy line (I) designates and includes both the alpha and beta configurations.

Representative glycerol ketals of anabolic steroids according to this invention can be prepared from the, following exemplary ketones by the above procedure.

TABLE A l9-norandrost-4-en-17fi-ol-3-one, oz, 19-norandrost117fi-ol-3-one, Ze-methyI-Sa,19-norandrost-1719-01-3 -one, Za-methyl-Sa-andmst-1713-01-3-one, 4a-methyl-5 a, 19-norandrost- 17 B-ol-3-one, 2a, 1'7a-dimethyl-5a, IQ-norandrostl7 8-ol-3-one, 4a-methyl-17a-ethyl-5a-androst-1713-01-3-one, 4a-methyl-S a-androst-1718-ol-3-one, androst-4-en-17B-ol-3-one, 17u-methylandrost-4en-l7fi-ol-3-one, 17aethylandrost-4-en-.17 9-ol-3-one, l7a-propylandrost-4-en-175-01-3 -one, 7a-methylandrost-4-en-1-7y8-ol-3-one, 4-cb1oroandrost-4-en-17p-ol-3-one, l9-norandrost-4-en-17,8-ol-3-one, 17a-methyl-1 9-norandrost-4-en-17B-ol-3 -one, 1 7a-ethyll9-norandrost-4-en- 17 fi-ol-3-one, 17u-propyl-l9-norandrost-4-en-17B-ol-3-one, 7a-methyl-l9-norandrost-4-en- 1 7p-ol-3-one, 7a, 17a-dimethy1-19-norandrost-4-en-175 o1-3-one, 4-chloro-19-norandrost-4-en-l7p-ol-3-one, S-methyl-S m-androstl-en- 17 B-ol-3-one, l-methyl-Su-androst-1-en-17B-ol-3-one, 1-methyl-17a-methyl-5a-androst-l-en-17fl-ol-3-one, 1-methyl-17 a-ethyI-S a-androst- 1-enl713-ol-3one, 2-methyl-5u-androst-l-en-17 8-ol-3-one, 2-methy1-l7u-methyl-5a-androst'1-en-17fi-ol-3-one, Z-methyl-i7a-ethyl-5a-androst-1-en-17;3-ol-3-one, l7B-hydroxy-18-methylandrost-4-en-3-one, 1 7fl-hydroxy- 17a, 18-dimethylandrost-4-en-3-one, 17 fi-hydroxy-6a, 17a, 1 S-trimethylandrost- 4'-en-3-one, 1 713-hydroxy-6a, L8 -dimethyl- 1 7u-ethylandrost-4-en-3- one, I 17fi-hydroxy- 60:, 17 a-dimethylandrost-4-en-3-one, 17p-hydroxy- 6a-methylandrost-4-en-3-one, 17fl-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3 -one, 17fl-hydroxy-18-methylandrosta-4, 6-dien-3-one, 1 7y8-hydroxy- 17 a, 18-dimethylandrosta-4,6-dien-3-one, l7B-hydroxy-6a,17a,18-trimethylandrosta-4,6-dien-3- one, 1 7B-hyd10XY-6u, 18-dirnethyl- 17a-ethylandrosta 4,6

dien-3 -one, l'lB-hydroxy6a,17m-dimethylandrosta-4,6-dien-3-one, 17fi-hydroxy-6a-methylandrosta-4,6-dien-3-one, 1 7fi-hydroxy- 18 -methyl- 1 9-norandrost-4-en-3 -one, 170:, 1 8-dimethyl- 1 7 3-hydroxyl 9-norandrost-4-en-3- one, 60:,17 a, 1 B-trimethyl-17fi-hydroxy-19-norandrost4-em '3-one,

17fi-hydroxy-6a, l 8-dimethyl- 17u-ethyl-19-norandrost- 4-en3-one, 17B-hydroXy-6a,l7a-dimethyl-19-norandrost-4-en-3- one, 17'5Fhydroxy-6u-methyl-19-norandrost-4-en-3-one, 17B-hydroxy-19-norandrost-4-en-3-one, 17B-hydroxy-18-rnethyl-19norandrosta-4,'6-dien-3-0ne, 17B-hydroxy- 17a,l 8-dimethyl-19 norandrosta-4,6-dien- 3-one, v 17 B-hYdIOXY-Goz, l7cz,l S-trimethyl-19-norandrosta-4,6-

' dien-B-one, l7p-hydroxy-6u,18-dimethyl-17a-ethyl-19-norandrosta- 4,6-dien-3-one, t 17B-hydr0xy-6u,l7a-dimethyl-19-norandrosta-4,6-dienone, -hydroxy-6m-methyl-l9-norandrosta-4,6-dien-3-one, 17B-hydroxy-6m-fluoro-l'Ia-methyl-19=norandrosta-4,6-

dien-3-one, and l7fl-hydroxy-6a-fluoro-17a,l8-dimethyl-l-9-norandrost- 4-en-3-one.

Representative glyceral ketals' of corticoid steroids within Formula I can be represented by the formula:

(in) In the above formula,

R is hydrogen, methyl, fluoro, or chloro and when Z is a single bond, R can be either a or p oriented;

R is hydrogen, chloro or fluoro; R is keto or i wherein R is hydroxy, chloro, or fluoro;

R is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy, or conventional hydrolyzable esters thereof;

R is hydrogen, hydroxy, conventional hydrolyzable esters thereof, or when taken together with R R is hydrogen or alkyl of up to eight carbons;

R is hydrogen, alkyl, or an aryl group of up to eight carbons;

R is chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, conventional hydrolyzable esters thereof or conventional hydrolyzable ethers thereof;

Z is a single bond, double bond, or

cording to this invention can be prepared from the following exemplary k'eto nes by the above procedure TABLErBw pregn-4-en-21-ol-3,20-dione, i pregna-1,4-diene-11p,17a,21-triol*3;20-dione, I? 6a,9a-difluoro-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-pregna- 1,4-diene-1lfl,2l-diol-3,20=dione,*= I 6a-fil1OI'0-16a, l7a-isopropylidenedioxypregna I 1,4-diene-1lfl,21 diol-3,20-dione, 9u-fluoro-16,17a-isopropylidenedioxypregna- 1,4-diene-11p,21-dio1-3,20-dione, 6a-fluoro9a, 1 1,8-dichloro- 1'6u,17a-isopropy1idenedioxypregna-1,4-dien-21-ol-3,20-dione, 6a-chloro-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-pregna- 1,4-diene-l lfl,'2'l-diol-3,20-dione, 6a,9a-difluoro-16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxypregm 4-en-115,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6a-fluoro-16a,17u-isopropylidenedioxypregn- 4-en-1 113,2 l-diol-3,2--dione, 9a-fluoro-l 6a',17u-isopropylidenedioxypregn- 4-en-l1fl,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6,9a-difluoro-16,B-methyl 1-7a-valeroxypregn 1,4-diene-1 1B,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6a-fluoro-165-methyl-l7a-valeryloxypregna- 1,4diene-1 1B,2l-diol-3,20-dione, 9a-fluoro-l 6 8-methyl-17a-valeroxypregna- 1 ,4-diene-1lfl,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6a,9a-difiuoro-16a-methylpregna-1,4-dienel1/3,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione, -6afluoro-16a-methylpregna-1,4-diene- 11,6,17u,21-triol-3,20-dione, 60:,2l-difll10l0-9oz, 1 lpi-dichloro 16u,l7u-isopropylidenedioxypregna-l,4-diene-3,20-dione, 1 6a-fluoro-9u,11 8,2l-trichloro-16u,-17a-isopropyl- Y idenedioxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, 60,9a,l.1fi,21-tetrachloro-16u, l7a-isopropylr idenedioxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20--dione, v A 9a-fluoro-16u-methylpregna-l,4-diene-1 15,171; 1-; triol-3,20-dione, 1 6a,7m-diflnoromethylenepregn-4-ene-11B,17a,21 I triol-3,20-dione, I a. 6a,7u-methylenepregn-4-ene-1 1,8,17,2l-triol-3,2O-dione, 6a-methylpregna -l,4-diene-ll)8,l7u;21-triol 3,20-dione, 6m,9u-difiuoropregna-1,4,6-triene-1-l5,17a,211triol-3,20- (Home, a v 6a,9a-difluoro-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxypregna- 1,4,6-triene-l1B,21-diol-3,20-dione; a. 6a-fluoro-16a-methylpregna-1,4-diene-l 113,21-diol- 3,20-dione, a 3 I r a 16a-acetoxypregn-4-ene-11fi,21-diol-3,20-dione, and 1 6fi-acetoxypregn-4-ene-l 1,6,2 1-diol-3,20-dione.

Representative glycerol ketals of progestational steroids of this invention can be'rep'resented by the following formulas:

6 In the above formulas, R is hydrogen or methyl;

R is hydroxy or conventional hydrolyzable esters or ethers thereof;

R is methyl or ethyl;

R is lower alkenyl, such as vinyl and propenyl, lower alkynyl (including lower haloalkynyl with a halogen, such as fiuoro, chloro, or bromo), such as ethynyl, fluoroethynyl, chloroethynyl, propynyl, trifluoro'propynyl, and

the like, and t wherein R and R each is hydrogen, chloro, or fluoro;

R R and R each is hydrogen, methyl, fluoro, or chloro;

In Formula VIII when Z is a double bond, R is absent;

In Formula XI when Z is a single bond, R can have either an a or B orientation;

R and R each is hydrogen or, taken together, a methylene group having the formula wherein R and R each is hydrogen, chloro, or fluoro; R is keto or.

l....rH

wherein R is hydrogen, chloro, or hydroxyl; and when R is hydrogen, R and R is hydrogen;

R is hydrogen, chloro, or fluoro;

R is methylene,

wherein R and R each is hydrogen or methyl, or taken together with R is wherein R and R each is hydrogen, .alkyl, or aryl, the latter two groups having up to eight carbons;

R is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or conventional hydrolyzable esters thereof;

R is hydrogen or fluoro;

Z and Z each is a single bond or double bond; and

Z is a single bond, double bond, or a single bondin combination with a methylene group having the formula -c- R4 R52 wherein R and-R each is hydrogen, chloro, or fluoro.

The glycerol ketals of Formulas VIIIXI inclusive, are progestational agents useful in the treatment of menstrual disorders and fertility control and can be used in the same manner as 1700 acetoxy 6 chloropregna 4,6 diene- 3,20-dione (chloromadinone acetate). The l6-methylene species are particularly useful in estrus synchronization in domestic animals. These compounds are preferably administered orally but they can also be administered parenterally. In any mode of administration the conjugates can be used either alone or in conjunction with other medicinal agents, or in pharmaceutically acceptable,'non- 17u-vinyl-17,8-hydroxy-19-norandrosta-4,9(l0),11-

trien-3-one,

17u-ethynyl-17fi-hydroxy-18-methyl-l9-norandrosta- 4,9 10) ,l l-trien-3-one,

17a-ethyiiyl- 1 7 8-hydroxy-19-norandrosta-4,9( 10) ,1 1- trie'n-3-one,

17a-fluoroethynyl-17/8-hydr0xy-18-methyl-19- norandrosta-4,'9( l),11-trien-3-one,

17a-fluoroethynyl- 17 B-hydroxy-19-norandr0sta-4,9(

11-trien-3-one, and

17a-chloroethynyl- 17/3-hydroxy-l9-norandrosta-4,9( 10) dien-S-one.

Other glycerol ketals included within Formula I can be prepared from the following exemplary drug ketones by the above procedure, the utility for the products as listed.

TABLE D Zbornanone Anesthetic, expectorant. 3-diethylcarbamoyl-l-methylpyridin- Analeptic, respiratory and iumcamphor sulionate. circulatory stimulant.

Carb omyciii 1 Antimicrobial. edrin Antimalarial.

Antimicrobial.

7-chlor04-(dimethylamino)-l,4,4a, ,5a, Antimicrobial.

6,11,12a-octahydro-3,6,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-N-(hydroxymethyD-fimethyl-1,i1-diox0-2-naphthaceneone. 5-liydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-4,9-dimethoxy-7-methyl-5H-furo[3,?rg]

CNS stimulant.

Antihermorrheiocbroity.0vn Corniary vasodic talarcti [1]benz0pyran-5-one. lator. 2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-l,4- Antimalarial.

iiaplithoquino'ne. 2-hydroxy-3-(Q-hydroxy-Q-pentyltetra- Do.

decyl) -1 ,4-naphthoquinone. Luceiisomycin Antiiungal agent. N-lysinomethyltetracycline. Antimicrobial. 2-methyl-1,4naphthoquinoi1e Prophylaxis. Mcnadinone carboxymethoxime am- D0.

moniiim salt. 4-(dimethy1amino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a- Antimicrobial octahydro-3,6,10,12,12a-pentah droxy-N-( [4-(2-hydroxyethyl) -1- plperazinyl1-methyl}-6-methyl-1,11- dioxo-2-naphthacyenecarboxamlde. 4-dimethylamino-l,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a- Do.

0ctahydro-3,5,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-fi-methylened,l1-di0x0-2- naphthacenecarboxamide. Methyldihydromorplienone Analgesic. Methymycin Antimicrobial. 3,2551iethyl-fi-methyl-2,4-plperidlnesedative.

ione. Mikamycin Antimicrobial. 1-N a1lyl-7,Sdihydro-li-hydroxynor- Narcotic antagonist.

phenone. Dihydrohydroxycodeinone Analgesic.- Dihydrohydroxymorphenone. D0. 2-hydroxy-3-pinanone For respiratory irisufliciency. 4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a- Antimicrobial.

octahydro-3,5,6,10,12,l2a-hexahydroxy-6-metliy-1,11-dioxo-2-naphtliacenecarboxamide. 2-(1-cyclopentene-1-yl)-2-(2-morpholino- Antitussive.

ethyl)cyclopentanone Perivine Antimetabolite. Pimaricin Antimicrobial. 2-(piperidinomethyl)cyclohexanone Respiratory stimulant. 3,3-diethyl-2,4-dioxopiperidine Sedative, antitussive. 3,324,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone- Decreases capillary fragility. N,N-dietliylrifomycin B amide. Antimicrobial.

Rifomycin (B,S,O,SB,X,AG, 8a)."; Antimicrobial.

" Antimicrobial, antimetabolitc.

The preferred steroid glycerol ketals of steroids of Fomula I can be represented by the formulas:

H Bit O H (XII) In the above formulas, W

R and R each is hydrogen or methyl;

R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, cyclo propyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or propadienylj OR" is hydroxy or a conventional hydrolyzable ester thereof;

R" is hydrogen, chloro, fluoro' or methyl;

R is dihydrogen, dihalomethylene, preferably dichloromethylene or'difiuoromethylene,' but is not" present if Z is a double bond;

R is hydrogen, methyl or methylene;

OR is hydroxy or a conventional hydrolyzable ester thereof; and 4 Z is a single bondor a double bond but is a bond if R is present. 1

The ketal conjugates of the compounds of Formula XII wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or cyclopropyl are anabolic agents with a favorable antiboliczandrogeriic ratio, also possess anti-estrogenic, antigonadotrophic, and anti-fibrillitory activities, and can be orally administered for the same purposes as testosterone. 'Ilie ketal conji gates of the compounds of Formula XII wherein R -is lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or propadienyl and the compounds of Formula XIII are progestational agents useful in the treatment of menstrual disorders and fertility con: trol and can be orally administered for the same purposes as 17u-acetoxy-6-chloropregna-4,6-dien-3,20-dione (chloromadanone acetate). These compounds are preferably administered orally, but they can also-be administered by other routes. These compounds are administered either alone or in conjunction with other medicinal agents or in pharmaceutically acceptable ,'non-toxic compositions formed by the incorporation of any of the normally employed excipients.

single 1 1 The preferred process for preparing glycerol ketals of Formula XII and certain ketals of FormulaXIII can be represented as follows:

In the above formulas,

R R", R'" and R are as previously defined. The 3,3-(3-hydroxymethyl-l,Z-propylenedioxy) compounds of Formulas XII and XIV are preferably prepared by reacting the respective 3-keto compounds of Formulas XV and XVI with glycerol and dry methyl orthoformate under nitrogen at room temperature in a suitable inert organic solvent such as diglyme in the presence of perchloric acid.

The other glycerol ketals of Formula XIH are preferably prepared by a process illustrated as follows:

In the above formulas, g j

R", R, R R and Z are as previously defined. The glycerol ketals of Formula XIIIb are prepared by reacting the 3-keto compounds of Formula XVI with glycerol in a chloroform solution in the presence of ptoluenesulfonic acid at reflux until the reaction is eventually complete, that is, preferably about'36 hours.

This invention is further illustrated by the following specific but non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLE 1 l7,6-acetoxy-l7a-ethynyl-3,3-(3-hydroxy-l,2-propylenedioxy)-estr--ene h l'lfl-acetoxy-17a-ethynylestr-4-en-3-one (25.0 g.), glycerol ml.) and diglyme (250 ml), and dry methyl orthoformate (28 ml.) under nitrogen is treated with drops of a solution of perchloric acid (1 drop) in diglyme (40 drops), and is maintained at room temperature for 2 hours. One milliliter of pyridine is added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixtureis mixed with water, filtered, and the filtered solids are dissolved in ether, dried andchromatographed on silica gel to yield 17fi-acetoxy- 17wethynyl-3,3-(3-hydroxyl 1,2 propy1enedioxy)estr- S-ene. EXAMPLE 2 Other 3,3-(3-hydroxy 1,2-propylenedioxy)-A -steroids Repeating the procedure of Example 1 with To 17fl-acetoxy-17a-ethynylestr-4-en-3-one, 17fi-acetoxy-l7a-ethyl l8-methylestr-4-en-3-one,' l-acetoxy-l7a-ethynyl-18-methylestr-4-en-3-one 17fl-acetoxy-17a-propadienylestr-4en-3-one,

l7fl-acetoxy-IS-methyl-17a-propadienylestr-4-en8-one, -75

12 17 fl-acetoxy-l S-methyl-17a-propynylestr-4-en-3 -oue, l'ifi-acetoxy-17u-ethylandrost-4-en-3-one, l'ifi-acetoxy-lh-ethyl-l8-methylandrost-4-en-3-one,- l7 8-acetoxy-17a-ethynylandrost-4-en-3-one, 17B-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-18-methylandrost-4 en-3-one, ll'fl-acetoxy-17a-propadienylandrost-4 en-3-one, l7 3-acetoxy-l8-methyl-17ot-propadienylandrost-4-en-3- one, and l7 B-acetoxy-lS-methyl-17a-propynylandrost-4-en-3-one,

yields the corresponding l7fi-acetoxy-l7a-ethyl-3,3-(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy)-estr-5-ene, 17B-acetoxy-17 -ethy1-33-(3-hydroxy-l,2-propylenedioxy)-18-methylestr-5-ene, 17,6-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-3,3-(3-hydroxyl-l,2-propylenedioxy) -1 S-methylestr-S-ene, l7B-acetoxy-3,3-(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy)-17apropadineylestr-S-ene, 17fl-acetoxy- 3,3-(3 hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy)-l8- W methyl-l7a-propadienylestr-5-ene, l7fl-acetoxy-3,3-(3-hydroxy-l,2-propylenedioxy)-18- methyl-l7a-propynylestr-5-ene, l7fi-acetoxy-17u-ethyl-3,3-(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy)-androst-S-ene, l7B-acetoxy-17u-ethyl-3,3-(3-hydroxy-L2-propylenedioxy)-18-methylandrost-5-ene, 5 17 8-acetoxy-17u-ethynyl3,3-( 3-hydroxy- 1,2-propylenedioXy)-androst-5-ene, 1 7fl-acetoxy- 17 u-ethynyl-3 3 -(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy)-18-methylandrost-5-ene, 1 7fi-acetoxy-3,3-( 3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy) 17apropadienylandrost-S-ene, 1 'ifi-acetoxy-3 ,3-(3-hydroxy,1,2-propylenedioxy)-1 8- methyl-17e-propadienylandrost-S-ene, 17B-acet0xY-3,3-(3-hydroxy-l,2-p1'opylenedioxy)-l8 methyl-17a-propynylandrost-5-ene, and I7B-acetoxy-3,3-(3-palmitoyloXy-l,Z-propylenedioxy)- 1S-methyl-17a-propynylandrost-S-ene.

Repeating the above procedure with other fatty acids yields the corresponding 3,3-[3-(fatty acyloxy)-1,2-propylenedioxy] compounds.

EXAMPLE 3 Repeating the procedure of Example 1 withpregn-4- cue-3,20-dione and 19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione yields the corresponding 3 ,3- 3 -hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy) pregn-5-en-2Q-one,

and 3 ,3 -(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy) -19-norpregn-S-en- 20-one.

EXAMPLE 4 l 7a-acetoxy-6-chloro-3 ,3- 3 -hydroXy-l ,2-propylenedioxy) pregna-4,6-dien-20-one EXAMPLE 5 Other 3,3-(3-hydroxy-1,2-propylenedioxy-A -steroids and -A -steroids Repeating the procedure of Example 4 with 17u-acetoxy-6-chloro-16B-methylpregna-4,6-dien- 3,20-dione,

17 u-acetoxy-6-chloro-l6-methylenepregna-4,G-dien- 3,20-dione,

6-chloro- 17 a-hydroxypregna4,6-diene-3 ,20-dione, I 

